A Workbook of Ethical Case Scenarios in Applied Behavior Analysis

By Darren Sush and Adel C. Najdowski

Those working within the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA) encounter potential ethical dilemmas on a daily basis. While some challenges can be anticipated and appropriately addressed before they become unmanageable, oftentimes behavior analysts are confronted with unforeseen and novel situations that require immediate, yet careful attention. It is impossible to anticipate and plan for every eventuality. A Workbook of Ethical Case Scenarios in Applied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition, presents more than 120 real-world case scenarios commonly faced by individuals practicing ABA. The examples range in difficulty and severity to address the unique challenges and needs of those teaching, practicing, or learning ABA through ethics-focused coursework or preparing for the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®) certification exam. In addition to case scenarios, the workbook provides detailed questions to facilitate discussion and critical thinking, offers suggestions related to the navigation of ethically precarious situations, and includes recommendations of ethics codes to consider in relation to each presented scenario.

• Offers case scenarios addressing codes within the BACB®’s Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts
• Presents detailed question prompts to facilitate discussion and critical thinking
• Includes recommendations of ethics codes to consider and review in relation to each presented scenario
• Offers suggestions on the navigation of ethical challenges
• Discusses how to assess risk and devise ethically appropriate courses of action
• Provides the entirety of the BACB® ethics code for quick access and reference

• Language: English
• Publisher: Academic Press
• Release date: Dec 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9780323986250

Darren Sush

Darren J. Sush, PsyD, BCBA-D, is a licensed clinical psychologist and a board certified behavior analyst (doctoral) with more than 15years of experience developing and providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services for children and adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental disabilities. Dr. Sush is Head of Autism and Psychology with Evernorth Behavioral Health, a Cigna corporation, and is the coauthor of A Workbook of Ethical Case Scenarios in Applied Behavior Analysis. He is an adjunct faculty member in the ABA program at Pepperdine University, and an associate professor in the ABA and clinical psychology programs at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, teaching doctoral and master’s courses in ABA and psychology. He has presented at regional and national applied behavior analysis and autism-focused conferences, with media outlets and on podcasts. Within his practice, he specializes in providing therapy for parents of children with ASD and developmental disabilities and writes with Psychology Today online, focusing on resources and mental health for parents of children with ASD and developmental disabilities.

Book preview

9780323986250_FC

A Workbook of Ethical Case Scenarios in Applied Behavior Analysis

Second Edition

Darren J. Sush

Department of Psychology, Pepperdine University, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Adel C. Najdowski

Department of Psychology, Pepperdine University, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Image 1

Table of Contents

Cover image

Title page

Copyright

About the Authors

Disclaimer

Section I: Background and Preparation For Analysis of Ethical Case Scenarios

Chapter 1: A Brief Introduction to Ethics in Applied Behavior Analysis

Abstract

The Road to the Code

A Modern Ethics Code

The Continued Study of Ethics

Analyzing Ethical Challenges

Preparing to be an Ethical Practitioner

References

Chapter 2: Using This Workbook

Abstract

Chapter 3: Suggestions for Ethical Decision-Making

Abstract

References

Chapter 4: Examples of Completed Case Scenarios

Abstract

Know It All

Taking Testimonials

Section II: Ethical Case Scenarios

Chapter 5: Section 1: Responsibility as a Professional

Abstract

Case 1: Signed, Sealed

Case 2: Licensed to Ill

Case 3: Dropped Deadline

Case 4: Divided Attention

Case 5: Parents’ Night Out

Case 6: Risky Referral

Case 7: Learn Something New

Case 8: Above Paygrade

Case 9: ACTing Ethically

Case 10: Is There a Doctor in the House?

Case 11: How Different Can It Be?

Case 12: Requested Removal

Case 13: Human Resources

Case 14: Discrimination Discrepancy

Case 15: Equal Opportunity

Case 16: Cultural Conclusions

Case 17: Canceled Considerations

Case 18: Break Up, Break Down

Case 19: Request for Service

Case 20: Unfriend Request

Case 21: Party Time

Case 22: The Only One for the Job

Case 23: Someone’s Gotta Do It

Case 24: I Know That Guy

Case 25: Lack of Snack

Case 26: Ethical Headache

Case 27: Sharing Is Caring

Case 28: Season Pass

Case 29: More Than Friends

Case 30: Swipe Left

Case 31: Just Not Into You

Case 32: Old Flame

Case 33: Slipped My Mind

Case 34: Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself

Case 35: Under the Influence

Case 36: It’s Just Business

Case 37: Gentle Nudge

References

Chapter 6: Section 2: Responsibility in Practice

Abstract

Case 38: No I in Team

Case 39: Walking Billboard

Case 40: Word of Mouth

Case 41: Holiday Spirit

Case 42: Coffee Talk

Case 43: Decoration Dilemma

Case 44: Scam Likely

Case 45: My Password Is Password

Case 46: Need a Nap

Case 47: Billing Blunder

Case 48: Hidden Fees

Case 49: Monolingual Mess

Case 50: Identity First

Case 51: Safety First

Case 52: Preemptive Plan

Case 53: Ctrl-C/Ctrl-V

Case 54: Running on Empty

Case 55: Sweet Tooth

Case 56: Punitive Measures

Case 57: Let’s Move

Case 58: All in the Family

Case 59: Community Integration

Case 60: Supplies With Legs

Case 61: All Booked Up

Case 62: Unlocked and Unloaded

Case 63: Can You Hear Me Now?

Case 64: Zooming Into Treatment

Case 65: Promises, Promises

References

Chapter 7: Section 3: Responsibility to Clients and Stakeholders

Abstract

Case 66: Unfortunate News

Case 67: Short Staffed

Case 68: Fixer Upper

Case 69: Paused Payments

Case 70: On Call

Case 71: Stay in My Lane

Case 72: Rights to Results

Case 73: You Get What You Get

Case 74: Reasonable Suspicion

Case 75: Fighting Fads

Case 76: Stay the Course

Case 77: Put Words in Your Mouth

Case 78: Nonessential Oils

Case 79: Look No Further

Case 80: Muffin Melodrama

Case 81: You Scratch My Back

Case 82: Cut Off

Case 83: Should I Stay or Should I Go

References

Chapter 8: Section 4: Responsibility to Supervisees and Trainees

Abstract

Case 84: Spread Too Thin

Case 85: Slippery Supervision

Case 86: Fractured Focus

Case 87: Compliment Sandwich

Case 88: Just Do It

Case 89: Too Good at Goodbyes

Case 90: In Search of Supervision

References

Chapter 9: Section 5: Responsibility in Public Statements

Abstract

Case 91: Hey, That’s Me!

Case 92: Getting the Word Out

Case 93: Take My Advice

Case 94: Problems in Press

Case 95: Press Release

Case 96: Public Persona

Case 97: Don’t Quote Me

Case 98: Varied Expertise

Case 99: Responding to Reviews

Case 100: Good Intentions

Case 101: #Hashtag

Case 102: Internet Troll

Case 103: Training the Trainers

Case 104: Top 10

References

Chapter 10: Section 6: Responsibility in Research

Abstract

Case 105: Crunch the Numbers

Case 106: Undue Influence

Case 107: Et Al

References

Chapter 11: Complex Scenarios Involving Multiple Sections of the Code

Abstract

Case 108: No Show, Oh No!

Case 109: Splitting Up Is Hard to Do

Case 110: Academic Advocacy

Case 111: Something’s in the Air

Case 112: Bury the Lead

Case 113: Chosen Name

Case 114: My Way or the Highway

Case 115: Sign on the Dotted Line

Case 116: Lost in Translation

Case 117: Mad Scientist

Case 118: Social Media Mayday

Case 119: Wear Many Hats

Case 120: Need for Concern?

Case 121: Glitch

Case 122: Behind Closed Doors

Case 123: Adapt and Adjust

References

Appendix A: Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts

Introduction

Glossary

Ethics Standards

Appendix B: Suggestions for Related Ethics Codes

Section 1: Responsibility as a Professional

Section 2: Responsibility in Practice

Section 3: Responsibility to Clients and Stakeholders

Section 4: Responsibility to Supervisees and Trainees

Section 5: Responsibility in Public Statements

Section 6: Responsibility in Research

Complex Scenarios Involving Multiple Sections of the Code

References

Index

Copyright

Academic Press is an imprint of Elsevier

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Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The content of this workbook is in no way affiliated with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®). All mentions of the BACB, Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®), Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral™ (BCBA-D®), Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® (BCaBA®), and Registered Behavior Technician® (RBT®) are owned and claimed by the BACB. The Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts (BACB, 2020) is the intellectual property of the BACB, and has been included with permission.

The opinions within this workbook, and responses provided within ethical case scenarios are not endorsed by the BACB and are solely the viewpoints of the authors. Case scenarios have been developed and generated as a means for promoting discussion and deliberation related to the ethical practice of behavior analysis.

Statement of Approval

© Behavior Analyst Certification Board®. All rights reserved. Reprinted and/or displayed by permission granted in 2021. The most current version of this document is available at www.BACB.com. Contact the BACB for permission to reprint and/or display this material.

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This book and the individual contributions contained in it are protected under copyright by the Publisher (other than as may be noted herein).

Notices

Knowledge and best practice in this field are constantly changing. As new research and experience broaden our understanding, changes in research methods, professional practices, or medical treatment may become necessary.

Practitioners and researchers must always rely on their own experience and knowledge in evaluating and using any information, methods, compounds, or experiments described herein. In using such information or methods they should be mindful of their own safety and the safety of others, including parties for whom they have a professional responsibility.

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Image 1

About the Authors

Darren J. Sush, PsyD, BCBA-D (he/him/his), is a licensed clinical psychologist and a board certified behavior analyst (doctoral) with more than 15 years of experience developing and providing services based in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for children and adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental disabilities. Dr. Sush is Head of Autism and Psychology with Evernorth Behavioral Health, a Cigna corporation, and is the coauthor of A Workbook of Ethical Case Scenarios in Applied Behavior Analysis. He is an Adjunct Faculty member in the Applied Behavior Analysis program at Pepperdine University, and an Associate Professor in the Applied Behavior Analysis and Clinical Psychology programs at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, teaching doctoral and master’s courses in ABA and psychology. Within his practice, he has specialized in providing therapy for parents of children with ASD and developmental disabilities. He has also presented at regional and national conferences, has made appearances on several media outlets and podcasts, and has written for Psychology Today online, focusing on resources and mental health for parents of children with ASD and developmental disabilities.

Adel C. Najdowski, PhD, BCBA-D (she/her/hers), is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program at Pepperdine University as well as Research Manager at Halo Behavioral Health. Dr. Najdowski has provided ABA-based services to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental disabilities since 1995. She has more than 45 publications, including her books Flexible and Focused: Teaching Executive Function Skills to Individuals With Autism and Attention Disorders and A Workbook of Ethical Case Scenarios in Applied Behavior Analysis. She currently serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and has previously served for Behavior Analysis in Practice and as Guest Editor for a special issue in Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) and previously served on the board of directors for the California Association for Behavior Analysis (CalABA). She is also on the disciplinary review committee (DRC) for the BACB. Her current research interests include topics related to social justice teaching higher-order skills to children, teens, and adults diagnosed with ASD. She is a frequent speaker at conferences and on podcasts and web-based shows.

Disclaimer

The content of this workbook is in no way affiliated with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®). All mentions of the BACB, Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®), Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral™ (BCBA-D®), Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® (BCaBA®), and Registered Behavior Technician® (RBT®) are owned and claimed by the BACB. The Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts (BACB, 2020) is the intellectual property of the BACB, and has been included with permission.

The opinions within this workbook, and responses provided within ethical case scenarios are not endorsed by the BACB and are solely the viewpoints of the authors. Case scenarios have been developed and generated as a means for promoting discussion and deliberation related to the ethical practice of behavior analysis.

Section I

Background and Preparation For Analysis of Ethical Case Scenarios

Chapter 1: A Brief Introduction to Ethics in Applied Behavior Analysis

Abstract

The current version of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s (BACB) Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts went into effect on January 1, 2022. While the Code provides substantial guidance and direction, there remains a great deal of ambiguity and misunderstanding related to the ethical conduct of behavior analysts. The BACB has outlined specific and clear parameters, which an individual practicing behavior analysis should reference and follow. However, it is impossible for the BACB to have included all situations a behavior analyst may encounter when working within the field. As a result, practicing behavior analysts must integrate their familiarity with the explicit expectations described in the Code with their own interpretations and assessment of the particular clinical scenario. This chapter discusses how the modern-day code came to be and how behavior analysts should analyze ethical challenges in preparation for being an ethical practitioner.

Keywords

ABA; ABA ethics; Applied behavior analysis; BCBA; Behavior analyst; Ethics; Ethics case examples; Ethics code for BCBAs; Ethics examples; And ethics scenarios

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a rapidly growing